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The Wild Coast Sun (WCS) Executive Committee, staff members, Corporate Social Investment (CSI) Committee members, Mbizana Development Trust, and service providers commemorated Nelson Mandela Day by rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty. The team left their comfort zones to renovate the Umzuvukile Special Centre, previously known as Old Ethridge School, located in the Mbizana area.
The group spent the day renovating the kitchen, performing a thorough spring cleaning, and fully painting one of the blocks with supplies they brought along. They also donated hotel linen, towels, and toilet paper to the center. This initiative is part of WCS’s 20-year commitment to providing value to the communities they serve, shifting from mere donations to making substantial investments in the betterment of local lives. WCS supports educational programs and collaborates with government and various stakeholders to uplift the region.
The Umzuvukile Special Centre had been left in a state of disrepair after the Ethridge Junior Secondary School relocated to a new site. The dilapidated buildings have posed significant challenges, as potential donors have been deterred by the need for pending approvals from relevant authorities.
The center’s leadership has faced sleepless nights, grappling with the lack of ablutions, proper wheelchair ramps, and deteriorating infrastructure, leaving the more than 30 residents, many physically challenged, in a precarious situation.Despite these challenges, the Wild Coast Sun Resort Hotel has committed to continuing its support for the center by renovating the kitchen and office, fixing the walls, installing electricity, and constructing ramps for better wheelchair access. This work began on Mandela Day and will continue with the help of service providers beyond July 18th.
Peter Tshidi, the General Manager of the Wild Coast Sun Resort, gave a keynote address highlighting the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. Tshidi left the warmth of his office to join the efforts, working alongside his team for 67 minutes to improve the lives of the center’s residents. His hands-on involvement exemplified the spirit of Mandela Day, bringing smiles to the faces of the disadvantaged children at the center.
The day was well spent, and the efforts of the Wild Coast Sun team have brought hope and renewed optimism to the Umzuvukile Special Centre, ensuring a brighter future for its residents.
